Deformable Neck Tabs for Bottle Packaging Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging for glass bottles is not customizable to various shapes, is not environmentally friendly, and often results in breakage during transportation due to stiff, non-conforming inserts that provide excessive mobility and occupy too much space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system comprising a foldable blank with deformable neck tabs and locking tabs that securely enclose bottles of different geometries, providing shock absorption and minimizing exposure, made from biodegradable materials like corrugated cardboard, allowing for flexible customization and efficient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-formed blow molded or Styrofoam inserts are used, then bottle protection is provided, but the inserts are not biodegradable and provide excessive mobility allowing bottles to contact other objects and break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a corrugated cardboard shell that is deformable and flexible to conform to the bottle's shape, replacing rigid foam inserts. The cardboard material is biodegradable and provides protection while eliminating environmental harm. The flexible nature allows it to adapt to various bottle geometries and reduce excessive mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid foam to flexible corrugated cardboard, and modifies the structural parameters by using deformable side panels and tabs that can be adjusted to match different bottle shapes, thereby providing both protection and environmental friendliness.
2Strength
If stiff, non-conforming shells are used around bottles, then structural support is provided, but bottles have undesirable mobility and may break during shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic, deformable side panels with tabs that can be adjusted and secured at different positions to match various bottle shapes. This dynamic structure provides structural support while adapting to the specific bottle geometry, preventing excessive mobility and breakage during shipping.
3Device complexity
If one-size-fits-all inserts are used, then packaging simplicity is maintained, but customization to various bottle shapes is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into segmented side panels with individual tabs that can be independently adjusted and secured. This segmentation allows the packaging to be customized to fit various bottle shapes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be used across different bottle types.
4Reliability
If bulky inserts are used to protect bottles, then bottle protection is improved, but storage space is wasted when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The flat blank packaging can be nested or stacked efficiently when not in use, taking up minimal storage space. When activated, it forms the protective structure around the bottle, providing both protection and space efficiency through its collapsible design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The packaging system effectively secures and protects glass bottles of various shapes during shipping, reduces breakage risk, and is environmentally friendly, while also compactly storing when not in use, addressing the need for cost-effective and customizable solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a lower support has a lower locking tab formed at the lower end of two of the side panels which is configured to deform to secure the bottom panel in a closed position
Implementation Method 2
the upper locking tab is deformed and positioned over a top surface of the top flap thereby preventing the top flap from opening
Implementation Method 3
provide a shock-absorbing region between the top end of the bottle and an exterior surface
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging for securely holding one or more bottles is provided with an upper support and a lower support that close parts of the packaging. In between the upper and the lower support are a plurality of neck tabs that are individually deformable to further limit mobility of the bottle in the packaging.